Behind the Scenes of Spirit Week

Spirit Week has come and gone, leaving behind the memory of pajama-clad first periods, matching outfits for Twin Day, and too many performative matcha drinkers to count. Beyond the creativity, the week offered a snapshot of school culture, revealing the different ways students choose to connect with one another and their community.

For Junior Caucus Co-president Mitali Jhaveri, planning Spirit Week is both rewarding and challenging. “It’s hard to find a time that works for everyone,” she said, noting specific conflicts like the PSAT. She added, “Especially in a school like Stuyvesant, where everyone is so busy all of the time with tests or homework, being able to host a social event and finding a time to coordinate can be difficult.” 

Jhaveri emphasized that the event’s purpose goes beyond dressing up: “Spirit Week builds those inside jokes that only our age or grade understands—it brings everyone a bit closer, especially with days like Twin Day or Performative Day,” she said. To her, the week strengthens the sense of connection. The Student Union attempted to involved students by collecting their input through online forms, emails, and social media polls to give students a say in each day’s theme. 

Still, some students felt outreach could have gone further. “They could try and involve more people with signs in the hallways or even film funny videos,” junior Grant Izzet suggested, hoping for more visibility leading up to the week. Students without social media might have missed posts about themes.

For those who did participate, the feeling of belonging is exactly what makes Spirit Week meaningful. “When people participate, it makes the school feel more connected,” junior Michaela Madanire said. Her words capture what many see as the heart of Spirit Week: planning matching outfits, sharing props, and collaborating. Student involvement gives them the chance to interact beyond academics, even if participation levels vary.

Yet, for students who choose not to participate, the decision often does not represent a disconnect. Some have different priorities, don’t want to feel forced, or are simply not big on costumes. Junior Jean-Pierre Proulx pointed out that sometimes participation can be unrealistic. “A lot of Stuy kids are juggling a lot,” he said. “Some days you’re too busy worrying about tests or homework to also plan an outfit.” His perspective reflects the same reality Jhaveri described—even with excitement building, academic demands can make Spirit Week feel like one more thing on the to-do list.

Junior Joya Liu noted that not everyone feels drawn to the social side of Spirit Week. “Some people just don’t really care about the social aspects of this school,” she said. “It’s not that they dislike it, it’s just not their thing.” Still, for Liu, the week is about the shared effort and energy students put into being part of the same moment. “Even if you don’t go all out, just trying a little or laughing with friends makes it feel like everyone’s in on it together,” she said. 

Ultimately, Spirit Week means something different to everyone. Through planning outfits with friends, coordinating group activities, and participating in themed challenges, students find ways to collaborate and interact beyond the classroom.